Ball Screen Offense—Countering Ice Coverage

What is Ice Coverage?

Ice coverage is a pick and roll defensive technique which emphasizes taking away middle penetration in an attempt to limit potential scoring options. Ice coverage is typically used against wing ball screen action, where the ball handler is attempting to use the screen to gain middle penetration.

The on-ball defender will force the ball handler baseline, away from the ball screen, while the screener’s defender drops to be in help position. Facing ice coverage if you’re a ball screen heavy team can be frustrating, but luckily there are a number of ways to counter the coverage and create advantages similar to traditional pick and roll action.

1. Flip the Screen

With the on-ball defender forcing the ball handler away from the screen or denying it, the screener can “flip the screen” or change the angle of his screen in order to gain an advantage. As the ball handler comes off the flipped screen, he has a number of different options including a pull up jumper, turning the corner and attacking, or snaking the screen.

Pull Up

As the ball handler comes off the flipped screen, their first question is ‘Am I a shooter?’ If yes, their first look as they comes off the screen is to find space for a pull up jumper.

Turn the Corner

If the big’s defender steps up to take away a pull up jumper or is shaded towards the middle, the ball handler should be able to attack his outside shoulder to get downhill.

Snake

Another great option for the ball handler coming off the flipped screen is to snake it, or wrap around the screen to the opposite side. The ball handler’s first option is to get downhill, but if the screener’s defender drops to take away the drive, the ball handler can snake to open space for a mid-range jumper.

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 11.42.46 AM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 11.42.52 AM.png

2. Short Roll

If the ball handler is unable to get downhill and finish at the rim, the 2nd option is the screener on a short roll. After setting the flipped screen, the screener rolls opposite of the ball handler looking for an open gap.

The ball handler can also reject the screener before he even flips the screen. In this scenario, the screener would simply dive to the rim looking for an open gap.

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 12.11.12 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 12.11.17 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 12.11.24 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 12.11.31 PM.png

3. Attack High into Re-screen

Another way to counter ice coverage is by attacking high into a re-screen, which I first saw used by John Beilein’s Michigan Wolverines. The ball handler attempts to use the ball screen but will more than likely be pushed high since is defender is denying the ball screen.

The screener would then simply turn and re-screen for the ball handler to change direction and attack off the PNR. The initial attack high causes the on-ball defenders momentum to be carried away from the re-screen, making it difficult for him to get back in position to ice it.

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 11.55.22 AM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 11.55.27 AM.png

4. Boomerang into a Ball Screen

Another way teams commonly defeat the ice coverage is through a boomerang into a ball screen. The ball handler rejects the initial screen and drives baseline, engaging both defenders, and the screener stays high. The ball handler swings the ball to the screener, which forces the screener’s defender to recover back.

The screener receives the pass, boomerangs it back and sprints into a pass and follow ball screen. The screener’s defender is now out of position and cannot call for an ice, allowing the ball handler to use the ball screen and get downhill. If the ball handler’s defender attempts to still ice and deny the ball screen, the ball handler will have a straight line drive to the rim.

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.38.55 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.39.01 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.39.07 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.39.12 PM.png

5. DHO

Utilizing a DHO is an easy way to simulate traditional wing ball screen action against ice coverage. To do so, the ball handler rejects the initial screen and drives baseline to engage both defenders, while the screener stays high.

The ball handler swings the ball to the screener, which forces the screener’s defender to recover back, and sprints to follow his pass into a DHO. The defense is now out of position and cannot properly ice the DHO, which allows the ball handler to gain middle penetration.

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.52.28 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.52.32 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.52.38 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-07-02 at 1.52.42 PM.png

6. Backdoor

Back cuts are an effective way to counter ice coverage and can be a quickly drawn up as an ATO if needed. As the screener comes to set the screen, the on-ball defender will slide up to force the ball handler away from the ball screen, essentially facing the sideline.

The ball handler can hit the screener as he is on his way to set the screen, which forces the screener’s defender to recover back, and immediately back cut to the rim. X1 is unable to take away that cut as he is in ice positioning, and X5 is no longer in help position as he is now guarding the ball.